MARK BECKETT is to take over as captain of Keighley Cricket Club this year -- and will be one of the club's youngest captains of recent years.

Mark, who was on the Lords ground staff last season, is currently playing cricket in Australia he has been playing with Hampton Cricket Club in Melbourne, which has forged close links with the district. Three players from the Aussie club played in the Craven League last season.

The batsman-bowler will take over from Richard Robinson, who led the club to one of their most successful seasons last year, but is returning to play with Baildon.

They won the Heavy Woollen Cup and came close to promotion into the Bradford League's first division and are hoping for another good year in 2003.

This season the club will open its campaign with a home league game against Lightcliffe, who were relegated from the senior division last year. They start their defence of the Heavy Woollen Cup away to Barkisland and are away to Idle in the opening round of the Preistley Cup.

"We have a very young team who have had a taste of success. Mark Beckett has spent the winter playing in Australia with Dale Towler, who is due to stay in Australia so we will be without his services this year," said club secretary, Michael Parker.

Overseas player Joel Crouch is also not returning this year, but the club hopes he will be replaced by an Australian pace bowler to give the team added fire power in attack.

The club is also looking for people to help look after the Lawkholme Lane ground and for someone keen to take on the duties of first team scorer.

Anyone interested should contact Mike Parker on 01535-654231 or write to: 2 Tewitt Close, Steeton, BD20 6RQ.

n The club's annual meeting is to be held in the clubhouse on Wednesday, February 26, at 8pm.